NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI — Water levels at Evart and near the Croton Dam slowly are receding Thursday, helping to reduce the flood threat along the Muskegon River.

The level at Evart recently was measured at about 15.7 feet — a height just off its all-time high of 15.97 feet. Forecasts indicate major flooding here will be slow to drop off, eventually falling below minor flood stage by next Wednesday.

Authorities in Osceola County said they've been struggling to keep track of the number of residences inundated with flood waters this week. Mark Watkins, the emergency program director, said it'll be a process of going from subdivision to subdivision, keeping tabs on the small city and hoping no further flooding takes place.

So far, mostly dry weather is in the forecast though the weekend.

The situation is a little less precarious near the Croton Dam, where the water was measured at about 12.1 feet. It's still within the moderate flood stage, though the height is predicted to level off into minor flooding by Sunday morning.

Forecasters say conditions likely will continue to improve during the next several days given rivers are cresting or already have. A lack of heavy precipitation should continue these positive trends.